I'm writing this blog entry to avoid a first month with no entry in almost 7 years since this blog began in the countryside of Fukushima. I have in fact been doing a few interesting things, but I will write about these things at some later date....I promise you will enjoy.
September has been a fairly unpleasant and trying month. The temperature and humidity levels have remained stubbornly high, sapping my energy and sending me into a malaise. Now it looks like summer is finally over as the last couple of days have been reasonably cool with a couple of spectacular thunder storms. The forecast for next week is for temperatures in the mid-20s. I'm looking forward to finally being able to keep my air conditioner turned off.
The big topic in Japan at the moment is the storm brewing over the Senkaku Islands (near Okinawa in the south of Japan). Over the last decade or two, the spotlight has fallen on small, seemingly irrelevant unpopulated islands scattered around the Pacific. Of course, the scramble to claim these islands is mainly connected to the exploitation of natural resources (but also to national pride). The Japanese Government recently nationalised the Senkaku Islands, prompting a furious uproar and attacks on Japanese companies operating in China. There is even talk of the possibility of a naval clash over these islands. I'm sure calmer heads will prevail, but there is an obvious need for multination talks to try and hammer out agreements on the large number of disputed territories.
Hopefully I'll be able to meet up with Clara next week, even if it is only for a coffee and doughnut. She was busy this weekend, so I was unfortunately unable to see her. She seems happy enough, although complained about the amount of homework her school gives her.
Thanks for reading - sorry to have so little news to report.
